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Monday, January 26, 2009

A 105-year-old symbol of Australia's heritage has just returned to our shores. The nation's last surviving coastal trading ship, the Alma Doepel, sailed for 16 days from Port Macquarie, NSW and is pictured passing Point Nepean last Tuesday. It docked at Victoria Harbour on Wednesday.

The three-masted topsail schooner, Australian-built and operated, will have a refit over the next 12 months. It was fully restored in 1987 and operated as a youth sail training ship for more than 10 years on Port Phillip Bay.

The Alma Doepel is owned by non-profit group Sail and Adventure Ltd and was most recently exhibited at Port Macquarie. It will return to being a tourist attraction.

Friday, January 23, 2009

I caught the latest episode of 'Food Safari' the other day, which was all about Syrian food. One recipe in particular held my attention as we are in Barbecue and salads weather. Perhaps those in colder climes might like to file it away for their Summer season.

I don't have a library as such; I'd be lucky to have two dozen books that I won't part with. If I buy a book I either hand it to my daughter, or take it to the local Op Shop and come home with half a dozen more! I always recycle them as I don't like reading a book twice. If we have house guests, they're welcome to take a book home. On the other hand, my husband has a wonderful library; about 800 piscatorial, as he's a fly-fisherman.

One that I still haven't finished but pick up in between books and read a little more of is Bright Tapestry by Margaret M. Pearson. The first edition was in 1956; I have the second reprint. The frontispiece says, 'The Story of the Stately Homes of England - their History, their Ghosts, Witches, Highwaymen, Mermaids and other Strange Connexions'. It has eight plates in 'half-tone' and nine maps and plans.

Warwick Castle

A Room in Warwick Castle

The inside flyleaf states, 'If anyone needed convincing that history was stranger than fiction they could not do better than dip into Bright Tapestry by Margaret M. Pearson, a book about the personalities behind some of the famous homes of England. For every situation that has ever been devised by poet, dramatist, or novelist, will be found in these pages: murders, abductions, witchcraft, escapes, duels, impersonations, infidelities, bribed witnesses, executions, brawls, all are here and all are part of the bright tapestry background that is the history of these islands.

Readers will discover a link between the Olympic Horse Trials at Badminton and the minstrels of old Tutbury Castle; between the Earl Marshal and Lady Godiva; between Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Francis Drake.

Many of the houses and castles belonging to the families involved are still standing (in 1956), and can be visited. The author has thoughtfully provided information about them after each chapter. The book ranges over the whole country, following the tangled history of some of our most historic houses and their occupants.'

Interestingly, my husband's family owned a farmhouse on the edge of Dartmoor National Park that was said to have been part of the Estate of Sir Francis Drake. Hubby took the above pics.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

I took this photo at Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome last year. I was delighted that I hadn't missed it, as I love the use of bees in decorating and also, the Fleur-de-lis. In this Wikipedia link I particularly like the mention of a noble woman's seal, depicting the lady with a fleur-de-lis - I wonder if anybody has a collection of Seals? Would intrigue me no end!

Last year I made some pelmets for a couple of windows and wondered what to cover them with. I had some calico handy, so embroidered a fleur-de-lis and added a braid border. I've since done something new but here is my handiwork.

I have an affinity with anything French as my great-grandfather was French - have yet to do the genealogy on my Mother's side - that will be difficult!

I guess most would have a recipe for this luscious, decadent cake. Or, perhaps, like me you didn't know of it. It was labelled a 'healthy option' to the Christmas fruitcake. I 'whipped it up' yesterday and, as fortune would have it, we had visitors in the afternoon, ravenous, hot and thirsty after a shopping trip in 30+ heat. So in the air-conditioned comfort they partook of Lumberjack and ice-cold soda water with a dash of lime. Hoping for more visitors today....don't get me wrong, it is delicious and that's our problem! Here is the recipe.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

This is a little calligraphy piece I did many moons ago. It's a poem by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a favourite of mine. I have it sitting in my 'toot' (bathroom) where all can read and ponder. So many have commented on it. My brother told me off for not putting the author's name on it but I didn't know who the author was for many years; I found the poem on one of those beautiful cards to let a friend know you're thinking of them and it said, 'author unknown'. The card maker didn't do any research! After being ticked off, I went looking on the net for Nathaniel and found a lot of sites mentioning him. He is one of the authors included in the book, American Bloomsbury, one that Willow recommended yesterday.

Finally won my battle with the weeds and read yesterday's "news". Picked some Gardenia for my den; the perfume is wafting through the room. The little bush is finally doing well with many buds yet to open.

Amongst the doom and gloom in the paper, I found this sweet story about a young Joey at Melbourne Zoo to share with you.

Monday, January 5, 2009

I haven't even had a chance today to read the obligatory newspaper! I'm seriously considering not renewing my subscription, as one can find all of the World news on the net and besides, think of the time I save by not taking the 8km turn-around trip for the paper; more time to sit here in front of the monitor! And, as far as interior decorating magazines go, some of them must be seriously struggling to compete with sites and blogs. I find so much inspiration at my fingertips but I still can't resist that glossy, colourful front cover! Be rest assured, publishers, I'll still treat myself to an hour's bliss, stretched out on my daybed, a smile on my face, turning those shiny pages. It is nice to have hands-on - perhaps I'll re-consider.........

Sunday, January 4, 2009

I just had to share a photo of our Australian sky (taken today in my garden). The forecast for today is predicted to be 29C (84.2F), so I went outside nice and early to pull some weeds and mulch. But it wasn't early enough as the bees had come out for a feed and were swarming everywhere. I gave up after an hour as I was getting slightly uneasy with bees buzzing about my ears and will try again tomorrow, perhaps 7am. I have only been stung once in my life, underneath my foot and that was when I was a carefree, barefoot child.